10 Amazing Adventure Trips We Think are Perfect for Families in 2026
An safari in Tanzania is on our list for family adventures in 2026. (Photo courtesy of Gondwana Ecotours)
A new study (full survey in link at bottom of this post) finds that 92 percent of Americans plan to travel with their children or grandchildren during the next year. Additionally, today's tech-savvy youth who have nearly unlimited access to global information online, are shaping where the families will go on their trips.
This is a stark change from past generations in which parents or grandparents solely decided the destination. This dynamic, where younger family members — especially those ages 7 to 18 — significantly influence travel choices, is known as "kidfluence."
Here is our quick list of 10 great ideas for family trips in 2026, provided in collaboration with Sublime Public Relations.
How do you plan for multi-gen family vacations? Do the younger members of your family have more influence on the decision than you had when you were growing up? Sound off in the comments section section following this article.
1. Yellowstone Whitewater Adventures
Families will love sharing thrills in a whitewater rafting trip on the Yellowstone River.
Flying Pig Adventures, conveniently located in Gardiner, Montana, near Yellowstone National Park's North Entrance, offers a variety of trips.
Pick from half-day excursions tackling Class II and III rapids or extended full-day adventures with a riverside lunch and serene scenic floats perfect for wildlife viewing. Flying Pig also has immersive overnight trips under the stars with comfortable camping and meals.
You can find a rafting experience to suit every skill level.
2. Hunt for the Northern Lights
Your family will love heading to Alaska (my favorite destination) in search of the aurora borealis and many more fun activities.
Gondwana Ecotours’ private “Alaska: Northern Lights Adventure” is an unforgettable journey. Days are packed with dog sledding, curling lessons, hot springs and a visit to Santa’s Village, while nights light up with nature’s most dazzling show, the Northern Lights.
Stay cozy under the covers until your nighttime aurora guide sounds the buzzer, signaling it’s time to step outside and watch the northern sky come alive.
3. Mediterranean Gulet Voyage
You can charter a traditional gulet boat with Peter Sommer Travels to explore Croatia, Greece or Turkey. A gullet is a traditional wooden sailing vessel from Turkey, typically built with two or three masts.
Visit ancient sites with an archaeologist or historian as an expert guide for an information and thrilling look into the past. Then, enjoy time to swim, snorkel or kayak in secluded coves, or simply relax onboard the boat.
With a full crew taking care of you along the way (with meals, accommodations and excursions included), it's a perfectly stress-free and fun adventure.
4. Arizona Dude Ranch Getaway
Your family can have a ranch-hand experience among the saguaro cactuses of the Sonoran Desert at the family-operated White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Arizona. Enjoy traditional dude ranch activities, such as horseback riding, hiking, shooting and archery; adventurous pursuits like fat tire e-biking and rock climbing; and entertainment like cowboy singing, trick roping and a weekly rodeo.
You won’t be roughing it, though. The property features a variety of comfy guest rooms, including a family suite or the larger Hacienda.
5. Epic African Safari Journey
From wildebeest herds thundering across the Serengeti to elephants grazing beneath acacia trees, Gondwana Ecotours’ private “Tanzania: Great Migration Safari” delivers the magic of an African safari.
You be able to spot lions, zebras, giraffes, leopards and hippos on daily game drives, with guaranteed window seats in every pop-top safari vehicle.
Visit a remote Maasai boma and meet a friendly family to learn about their culture and join in for their traditional energetic jumping dance.
Overnight, you’ll rest up for the next day’s activities while sleeping to the sounds of the savanna in deluxe tented camps.
During the game drives, you’ll enjoy pop-up bush lunches surrounded by breathtaking views. Africa amazes — especially when you experience it as a family.
We went on our first safari this year, and it was the most incredible trip we’ve enjoyed to date.
6. Cruising the Greek Islands on a Multi-Adventure Trip
Experience Greece's Ionian Islands by boat, bike and on foot on a family-friendly adventure cruise from adventure tour company Islandhopping. You’ll visit olive tree-covered Paxos, the white sand beaches of Lefkas, a colorful port on Cephalonia, peaceful Arillas on the country's west coast and more idyllic locations.
Along the way, swim in the crystal clear Ionian Sea, take a bike ride to a waterfall, kayak to a cave that is accessible only from the water, go tubing behind a dinghy and bike through a national park. This is a voyage jam-packed with daily adventures.
7. Grand Canyon’s North Rim Camping and Biking
Escape Adventures offers families the opportunity to escape to the cool, high-altitude sanctuary of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim on an unforgettable five-day mountain biking and camping expedition.
Revered by hikers and cyclists for its breathtaking vistas and gently rolling terrain, the North Rim offers a less-crowded perspective of this natural wonder.
8. Big Sky Family Time
Sometimes, a trip with the family can be as simple as booking just the right hotel in the ideal spot to launch your memorable adventures. And what better place to visit than Big Sky Country?
With spacious suite accommodations, The Wilson Hotel is the perfect home base to explore Big Sky, Montana, and the Yellowstone region.
Plan a family ski trip in winter or go hiking, fly fishing or whitewater rafting in summer.
Actually, you can easily experience the natural wonders and wildlife of Yellowstone National Park at any time of year.
At The Wilson, plush beds and upscale amenities await, with the restaurants and shops of the Big Sky Town Center just steps away.
9. A Glamping Getaway in the Tetons
Fireside Resort offers luxurious tiny house rental units, which are located a short distance from Grand Teton National Park, making it the perfect family basecamp for summer adventures. Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting, enjoy beautiful scenery and wildlife while hiking through the Tetons or revel in the wonder of Yellowstone National Park’s geothermal features.
10. Amazon Rainforest Immersion
Deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon, Sacha Lodge offers a responsible way for families to explore one of the world's most biodiverse regions. You can participate in low-impact activities like guided canopy walks, wildlife spotting by dugout canoe and nature hikes led by expert guides.
You’ll be staying in secure, private, thatched-roof cabins that ensure a luxurious and comfortable experience.